Neri (and anyone else out there that thinks people with worn out gear reflect an air of experience)...
There are people who buy technical gear who aren't flush with cash. They just prefer to spend whatever money they have on it. And I'm not sure there's any correlation between age of gear and experience.
As for newbies in the mountains, we should be glad that so many people are taking up an interest in the outdoors. This will hopefully help to preserve these spaces for us and the generations to follow. If you come across people with less experience who may get themselves into trouble out there, offer some advice or ask them if they need help.
Experience is gained from being out there and trying things out, but many of us have also benefited from mentors. People who helped to teach us the way. Rather than take the attitude that we were an irritant and barrier to their fun outdoors, they passed on their knowledge and perspective.
Don't keep what you've learned to yourself. Unless you don't really have experience to pass it on...
p.s. REI and other retailers are not at fault for selling technical gear to people. If they didn't sell it, the companies who make it wouldn't survive and we'd all be stuck carrying/wearing 2.5 lb gore-tex shells.
The more gear sold, the more money into new development and we get lighter, more functional gear. A wool sweater may keep you warm when wet, but I'm sure you wouldn't trade your latest fleece sweater for one.
